Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Outdoors
  3. News

There's a new bike-sharing platform in town, and this one is dockless

By

bluegogo dockless bike share 15167691 1815638825376204 4243390000426249553 o
Image used with permission by copyright holder
Your transportation ought to be every bit as mobile as you are, especially if you’re renting it. Luckily, there’s a new bike share platform that agrees. Meet bluegogo, the first smartphone-enabled, dockless bike share platform to launch in the U.S., which makes its official debut in San Francisco Monday. Heralded as “the most convenient, efficient, and healthy option to navigate cities and campuses,” bluegogo sets itself apart from other similar bike sharing platforms with what it doesn’t have — a parking station for all those rental bikes. Instead, thanks to the platform’s smartphone, GPS, and solar technology, users will be able to search, reserve, unlock, and pay for bluegogo bikes wherever they are (and wherever the bikes are), all from their mobile devices.

“Like other bike sharing companies, we’re providing the convenience of cycling without the hassle and worry of bike ownership,” said Ilya Movshovich, the company’s VP of Operations. “We stand apart by offering a supply of great bikes with no membership fee with no pre-determined pick-up or destination. We can quickly adapt our supply to meet consumer demand while reducing traffic on the streets.”

Recommended Videos

At launch, the bikes (which are manufactured by global cycling brand SpeedX), will be located in public bike racks around San Francisco. But once they’re taken, they’ll be spread out all over the city, and users will simply find the nearest one when they’re in need of a bike ride. Users are charged a dollar every 30 minutes — there are no overage charges for extended journeys, and no membership fee required.

And don’t worry — just because this is a dockless system doesn’t mean it’s any less safe. Rather, the bikes all come with a smart lock, unique frame and tires, security screws, and a built-in alarm system to guard against theft. The bike’s companion app will also give you the history on your own bike riding habits, including your distance traveled, routes taken, carbon emissions saved, and calories burned.

“We implement high-end professional bicycle standards in our design and manufacturing, a great improvement from the everyday bike. We believe the outstanding quality of our bikes provides the best possible experience for our users,” said said Ye Sun, bluegogo’s Chief Operations Officer. “bluegogo will be the most convenient and affordable bike sharing platform ever seen in the US. We believe being able to park our bikes anywhere within city regulations, starting in San Francisco, is going to change how we all navigate urban areas,” he concluded.

So if you’re in the San Francisco area, go ahead and take one of these bikes out for a spin.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Lulu Chang
Lulu Chang
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Fascinated by the effects of technology on human interaction, Lulu believes that if her parents can use your new app…
The best golf apps for iPhone and Android: 8 best ones in 2023
smart golf club

If you play golf, then it's likely you live and breathe golf, and like everyone else, you're probably always looking to improve your game. Hiring a coach and other methods are great ways to improve, but have you considered starting out by downloading an app? Golfing apps are some of the most advanced applications out there and make heavy use of artificial intelligence and GPS to both track your movements and analyze your swing. Golf apps can track an enormous amount of data about the way you play and can help you to turn those bogeys into birdies. Here are the best golf apps for iPhones and Android phones.

Looking for more useful apps? Check out our lists of the best Android apps and best iPhone apps you can download today.

Read more
Goal Zero’s new Skylight is an LED palm tree for emergencies
A Goal Zero Skylight shining LEDs lights into a darkened hallway.

Goal Zero is expanding its lighting range today with a backup LED system called the Skylight. The Goal Zero Skylight is an all-in-one set that includes a 33Wh battery built in and six LED panels that can blast out 6,000 lumens all told.

There are four brightness settings available, if that much light is overkill for your needs, and the panels can angle outwards as needed to cover a larger area. Combined with the 12 feet of telescoping available from the tripod, you can cover quite the range with visibility. A handle with a one-button release allows you to quickly deploy the Skylight for outdoor work or play, and stakes stored in the legs give you the option to keep it in place. A dedicated spool stows the charging cable when you're not using it, and a carrying case is included to store and move the whole kit.

Read more
The best electric bikes for 2023
Aventon Pace 500.3 with rider on it

Whether you're wondering what the fuss is all about with e-bikes, or you're an enthusiast shopping for a new model, the options have never been broader. There is an e-bike for just about anyone who wants to try electric two-wheeling, whether you want to spend $500 or $5,000. Using e-bikes for commuting is an eminently practical and cost-saving alternative form of transport for some people, but most riders choose e-bikes for fun and adventure.

Here are eight of the best e-bikes available today, from our favorite overall pick to more specialized choices for every type of rider, whether you're looking for something fast, portable, and just more affordable.

Read more